Method for shrinking cloth



Feb. 9, 1937i H. A. wooDHr-:Ap

METHOD FOR SHRINKING CLOTH Filed NOV. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 l I l :"H' INVENTOR Feb. 9, 1937. H, A- WOQDHED 2,069,910

METHOD FOR SHRINKING CLOTH Filed NOV. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEYS Feb. 9, 193777. H, A, WOQDHEAD v 2,069,910

METHOD FOR SHRINKING CLOTH 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 24, 1934 E is INVENTOR Hgfzry z/a/ffdd @MMDRNEYS Feb. 9, 1937. A WOODHEAD l 2,069,910

METHOD FOR SHRINKING CLOTH Filed Nov. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 65 a I'/ L 65 "0 51a xNvEN-roR P25* Hwy wad/md BY A 5 Feb. 9, 1937. "H, A WQQDHEAD 2,069,910 Y METHOD FOR SHRINKING CLOTH Filed Nov. 24, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR Patented Feb. 9, 1937 fuNl'rpEfD- K-s' l.Awr-12:s, Pfarr-1h11l oF-FlcE METHOD Fon'snRINKING' cto'rn I woeaiieaa, Gr'amtvme," s; o. y n 4Appiiratitn Novem'hqfza, 1934, fserial No, I$4,575; if i 'clams- (orzo-re;

This application is aacontinuatininpart ofi my j copen'ding application 'Serial' No.- 674,495, led June 6,' 1933, andrelates to process and apparatus for vpre'shrinliing cloth for 'the purpose of sub-'- 5 sta-ntially eliminating "shrinkage in both weft-and warp-'in v"subsequent launderingv operations'.l By` means of my processand apparatus I may obtain in a fabricfdimensions and characteristics that have been predetermined by lcarrying outra test laundering on a representative unitportion'of the,

fabric. l I

yThere have been several attempts-:to obtaina satisfactory preshrunk cloth. These methods of preshrinking consisted', for, ex'ampleffin wetting' the cloth andpermitting shrinkage to take place while the clothwasi hung inA loops fromv suitable frames; in-impos'ing a certainc'rinkle on' one set of yarns by pulling out the opposite'setof yarns by means-Tof a tentering"'frame or similar appasoiratus; or in aflixing the cloth to the .surface of a relatively thick carrier blanket 'while theblanket is exed lto a; convex position and subsequen'tly flexing the blanket to a concavepositionito di' Y minish itssurface and effect a change in the su'` percial dimensions vof the Web -warpwise there-'-V of. However, all` of these :various'methods havej entailed numerous disadvantages both' in the operation of 'the apparatus and in the characteristcs imposed uponthe fabric as is morefully The speed of the priorart apparatus, forexample, was foundl to be limited' thus producing preshrunk fabricat only arelativelyvlow ate.'=

i Another important disadvantagev lof: v vthe prior art' shrinking processes isthat theyare incapa= ble of carrying out the steps of sizing, shrinking,-

and finishing in,onel continuous unitary operafv tion, butV rather the fabric must be'sized, then 40 finally, finishedv or set. -r Among the disadvantageous characteristics lmparted totheffabric has been an excessive shrink-'- ingin one direction andlsubstantiallylnone in theY therrnore the control' opposite direction; and'furl` of the preshrinking imposed fupon thev material was difficult tovniaintain, and;y incapable ,oflprq ducing a preshrunkv fabric in which equilibriumconditions had beenobtained, Thus, an 1unsatisl ,having undesirable.

n factory, product resulted,

characteristics in that itfwas not uniform, no r capable vof retaining its preshrunk condition.

OUBIO' 'the 131211101313'l Objects'- of my inventic'rnf` is to overcome the disadvantages' of earlier proc- 55- esses and obtain a; preshrunk -fa'briciwhich iscapar discussed in my earlier application.

, dried, then again n ifoistened-and shrunk, and

`ble ,of retaining its preshrunk condition in,.sub,

apparatus that is relatlvely'simple to operate and` .1 which may be readilyjadjustedand controlled to vary its effect upon the web te impose apreshrunk.

.condition thereon as vcircumstzemces may require.

Another., object it isrto'nbtain a process and;

apparatus in which sizing, complete readjustingand' preshrinking and setting ofthe-fabrics are carried out in a single continuous operation.

:Other objects `ancladvantagesA will become, ap, parent-:upon consideration-of-the following description and claims When` read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of an illustrative embodiment of my invention.` v Y In vmy process, the treatedA fabric forced mechanical --workingl and rearrangement-.of the component yarns, both warp and weft, into a contracted Vand reconstituted condition. of Vequilibriumin which it issubstantially immune from"I further contraction and rearrangement dueto the 'wetting and workingof a subsequent laundering'operation., I have found thatthe shrinkage resulting from launderingoperations is not due solely toincreased crinkle .which maybe induced n,

in the warp orw'eft yarns 'but that itis also due to aphysical rearrangement and readjustment of' the yarns vand iibers due to the .mechanical working and reconditioning .and flexing, ci. vthe fabric in all directions while in its plastic conf ditionfduring laundering. It .is this rearrange-y ment' of the Warp and weft yarn's'which Iobtain bymechanically working the fabric rapidly and pbsitively.` -My :processgfor presh-rinking is pref-- erably :carried out after tl1e`usual preliminary steps, such a's singeing, removing the warp sizing, bleaching, dyeing, y printing, 'mercering 1 dry-r ing, callendering and polishing,r or otherv customary `operations have beenA vperformed upon the web so'thatinosu'bsequent voperation is necessary' which might impairfthe fullf advantages of ltheA preshrunk e condition' attained. .Inrthedrawingsz v 1 Figure l is a side elevational view insirnplifled diagrammatic `form ofpart of one form of aplng process in accordance with'the invention.

params-suitablefox-,carrying out the preslirink- Figure 1a is a continuation of Figure 1 and shows other parts of the apparatus;

Figures 2 and 2a are plan views of the apparatus shown in Figures i and la, respectively, with certain parts omitted in order to more clearly show the driving mechanisms for the apparatus.

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of a portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 and shows the web-working means;`

Figure 4 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 in Figure 3; l

Figure 5 is a detail plan view of the web-working means shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4;

Figiu'e 6 is a sectional view on the line 3--3 of Figure 5; I

Figure 1 is a fragmentary sectional view on the line 1-1 in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary plan view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1a;

Figure 9 is a detail, front elevational view of apparatus auxiliary to the web-working means shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4;

Referring now more particularly to the-draw-k ings in which like reference characters denote like parts, Figures 1 and la'illustrate a preferred form of my apparatus suitable for carrying out my preshrinking process.

There is indicated by the dotted line Ill the center line of a fabric or web passing through this apparatus. 'I'he web I3, which it isassumed may have previously been subjected to processing, such as bleaching, dyeing, printing, callendering, etc., or combinations thereof, is drawn from a truck or bin I over an idler roll 2, and preferably between the brush rollers 3 acting as a cleaning device and which removes dust, lint, loose threads, etc., from the surface of the fabric web. This removed matter is carried away by a suction kduct 3. From the cleaning device the webfis drawn over an idler roll 5 to a plasticizing or sizing apparatus comprising a vat or trough 3 containing a suitable wetting or sizing solution and provided with an idler vroll 1 and presser rolls 3, 3. Thel latter roll, at least, is positively driven from the driving motor II for the apparatus, through a suitable speed regulating mechanism, such as a Reeves "variator" as indicated at I2 in Fig. 2, by

.means of a chain I3 operated from the variable speed shaft I3 of variator I2.

In passing throughv the sizing solution, which may be of starch, dextrin, gums or soluble oils customarily used in finishing operations, the web is moistened and converted into a plastic, soft condition so` that it may be readily worked upon in passing between a compressing roll 33 and a feed roll 3I, to which it is directed after passing through a tensioning frame 23. y

Prior to the compression roll 33, however, there is a frame carrying fixed guide rolls 2I, 22 and an intermediate, movable compensator roll 23, the weight of which stretches all the goods to substantially the same degree so that goods of uniform tension and stretch are fed to the rolls 33 and 3 I. l

The tensioning frame 23 is provided with a pair of fixed sprocket wheels 24 and an associated endless chain 2l to which one end of the shaft of compensator roll 23 is connected. This sprocket and chain arrangement is duplicated at the other side of the tensioning frame so that -lowering or raising of either end of roll 23, as web slack accumulates or. is taken up, resultsin driving the chains 23 to effect a corresponding movement of the other end of roll 23. In this way the roll 23 is maintained on an even keel to assure proper guiding of the web and obviate sidewise skewing thereof. i

The shaft 26 which carriesthe lower sprocket wheels 24 is also provided with an additonal sprocket wheel 21, Fig. 2 acting through a chain 23and sprocket wheel 23 to move the control member I1 of the variator I2 inwardly or outwardly when roll 23 moves upwardly or downwardly, respectively, suitable mechanism being provided for converting the rotary motion imparted by chain 23 into an axial movement of the member I1. The inward or outward movement Y, of the control member I1 in response to the mo'vement of roll 23 as web slack is taken lup or accumulates causes relative axial movement of the discs I3 of the variator. This results in anincrease i or decrease in the effective diameter of the pulleylike member formed by the discs-I3 of the vari- 1 ator with respect to the constant speed' pulley thereof in such manner thattheassociated belt or chain I9 drives the, variable speed shaft I3 of the rvariator at an increasedsordecreased speed for speeding up or slowing down the operation kof the driven roll 9 of the sizing apparatus as web slack is taken up or accumulates.- Thus, Ythe movements of the compensator roll 23 of ,tension-f ing frame 23 automatically regulate the y,speed of operation of the sizingapparatus 3, 3 with respect to the rate of operation of the compressing roll 30 and feed roll 3l.

, l The compressing-roll 33, shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is similar to one of the several forms described in rnv earlier applicationand ismade up offa plurality of closely-positioned, thin. toothed discs 32 and intermediate spacers 33 dtted upona shaft 3l and pressed tightly together thereon. The

discs 32 may be'made of'stainless steel and the teeth 35 thereof are preferably relatively fine,

pointed at their ends, beveled on the sides and.k slightlyundercut to permit ready penetration of extending clamp bar 31. The construction and v arrangement of clamp har 31 will Vbe more fully described later. The fingers 33 extend into en-A gagement with the web and hold it in *contact with the working surface provided by an endless blanket k33, preferably ofrubber or like mate-l rial, that extends karound roll 3I and a kguide roll 33. The fingers may be made of a flexible material, such'as stainlessstee'l, and donot exert any material frictional resistance upon the web,

- particularly when it is in a moistplastic'condition due to a starchsizing operation, so'thatthe web' slides along the surface formed bythese fingers. If desired, the fingers 33 may be replaced by a sectional, web-retaining band, such asthose described in my copending applications Seriali-No.l 674,495,` filed June 6, 1933, now Patent; No. 1,982,720 dated December 4, 193.4, or. Serial No.

754,576, filed November 24, 1934..l` Means-desig- 7g g yarns.

hated as a whole by the numeral 67 of Figure 1 are provided for removing the work roll 38 and fingers 36 as a unit from cooperative relation with roll 3I. This means will be described later and is shown in detail in'Figures 9 and 10.

The lower roll 3I is driven from the constant speed shaft I5 of variator I2 through a chain- II.v

The upper or 'compressing roll 3|! is also positively driven but at a higher speed than the feed roll 3I. Roll 30 may be driven from the constant speed shaft I5 of variator I2 through suitable speed adjusting mechanism to permit the ratioy of the speeds' of rolls 38 and 3I to be readily varied y as desired. As illustrated in Figs. 2 and 9, the shaft of roll 3I is provided with a gear 8l which actuates intermediate gearing82 to drive a gear 80 on the shaft 34 of roll 3|).` The gear 80 is 'removable to permit substitution of other gears for obtaining a desired ratio between the speeds of rolls 30 and 3I, as will be more fully described later. As a result of the higher speed of roll 30, the web, when gripped by its teeth, is carried forward at a faster rate than that at which it would otherwise be advanced by roll 3 I, the wetted rubbei' surface of the blanket 38 that extends around roll 3| permitting a slight slippage of the web thereon. Thus, while fingers 36 bearing against the web and forming a web-retaining zone with the blanket 38 exert a vrestraining force that acts to prevent flexing or crinkling of the surface of the web, roll 30 acts to forcethe web forward into the zone where it is confined between fingers 31 and blanket 38 and works the cloth to effect a mechanical readjustment of the component The teeth 35 of roll 30 on entering the cloth pass into and between the-fibers of both warp and weft yarns tending to loosen them'and exert a shoving action that positions the weft yarns more closely together and acts longitudinally of the warp yarns to shove themtogether into a fatter or thicker state, i. e. with increased diameters, with the result that the web is contracted or compressed warpwise. This warpwise compression of the web by the roll 30 relieves the web from the tension previously imposed on the warp yarns as a consequence of having been drawn through other processing apparatus.

On leaving the rolls 30, 3l the web is supported by blanketv 38 which extends to a position closely adjacent the web-gripping elements 83 of a tentering frame 84 that acts to stretch the web weftwise to approximately the width desired in the nal preshrunk material. Suitable means, such as spreading rolls, may be provided to properly guide the side edges of the web for engagement by the gripping elements 83. If desired, other types of devices for stretching the cloth weftwise may be employed, such, for example, as a series of Mycock expanding rollers, preferably positively driven to minimize warp tension.

The tentering frame is of conventional construction and is driven from the variable speed shaft I4a of the main variator I2A by means of a chain 85. The constant speed shaft I5 of variator I2, from which rolls 30, 3I are operated,l also is driven by the variable speed shaft I4a of variator 'I2A through a chain 86. Thus, the tentering frame 84 is operated at the same rate or, as mentioned hereafter, at a xed ratio to the rate at which the web is delivered from the rolls 30 and 3I.

The main variator I2A is similar in construction to the variator. I2 described vabove and its constant speed shaft I5a is driven by motor II through a chain 81. Thus, the basic speed of the entire apparatus may be regulated by adjustment of thecontrol member Ila of main variator I2A to regulate the rate of operation of the variable speed shaftl4a thereof by motor I I.

The blanket 38 extends to tenter-ing frame 84 for supporting the web so that the compression Vof the web effected by the roll 30 is retained to a large degree and is only slightly diminished by warpwise tension on the web as a result of its pass- A ing to the tentering frame. Theweftwise stretching of the web is facilitated as a consequence of the preliminary relief of warp tension that results from the warpwise compression-of the yarn components of the web eected by the roll 38. Thus, the weftwise stretching of the web does not strain the warp yarns as-might occur with some types of materialsin the event they werepassed through a tentering frame in the state of warp tension normally existing after a number of processing steps have been performed. Moreover, by carrying out the weftwise stretching of the web after flrsteifecting a warpwise compression thereof, I render it possible to at least partially retain the preshrinking effect attained by warpwise compression of the web.

The tentering operation acts to bring the web out to the desired width of the final product. The prior normal processing steps tend to diminish the Width of the web below that which is nor.- mal for the fabric. The compression or working operation onthe roll 30 does not affect the width of the fabric but only its warpwise dimension. Thus, the tentering operation restores the normal or desired width to the web and in cooperation with the flrst compressing operation acts to work and adjust both warp and weft yarns to a condition approaching equilibrium.

From the delivery end of tentering frame 84, the web is carried forward by a short endless conveyor 88, driven at the same rate as tentering frame 84 by means of a chain 89. The web is delivered from this conveyor to a second pref shrinking or compressing stage comprising another compressing roll 30a and feed roll 3Ia drivenv by a chain 90 from the variable speed shaft I4b of a variator I2B. The variator I2B is operated by chains 85 and 85h from the variator I2A. In passing from conveyor 88 the surface of the web is lightly contacted by a balanced tensioning roll 9| smoothes its surface and guides it under even tension into the feed roll 3Ia and compressing roll 30a.

rRoll 30a, Fig. la, is similar to the roll 38 and, as in the previous compressing stage, an endless supporting blanket 38a extends around roll 3Ia and a guide roll 39a. However, in the second which' removes any slack from the web,

lil

stage the web is in contact with and supported by an endless blanket or band 92, of canvas or other suitable material, also directed around feed roll 3Ia and overlying the blanket 38a. Band 92 constitutes one of the endless drying blankets forming part of a drier 93 having sets of drying cams 94 operated at the'same rate as feed roll 3Ia by a chain 95 driven from the variable speed' cases to protect the seams of the band against;

being torn by the teeth of the work roll 30a. As shown in Figure 8, the band 32,r for example, may

be provided adjacent its side edges `with raised'` members 95, of leather, canvas oryother suitable material, that extend across the seams joining contiguous sections 92a, 92h01' the Aband 92.-

These raised members 95 engage with collars Si adjacent the ends of roll 30a to effect a'-slight compression ofthe band or lifting of the roll 30a j in passing beneath the latter so that the stitches. f

' are provided for variably adjusting the,y pressure z of the seams may not be loosened nor torn b the teeth of theroll. f

I also utilize in conjunction with the roll 30a a plurality of resilient spring fingers "a that extend between the toothed discs 12a and rbear .against the surface of the web and press it against the drier bandl.l On passing to the second compressing roll 30a, the web i4 is gripped by the teeth of thediscs making up the roll. Theteeth of the discs act to work and loosen the fibers of thel yarns and compress the web warpwise as ydescribed above in connection with-the first compressing roll 30. As V`the'web passes tothe nip between rolls 30a, 3|a, thedrier band 92 is'brought into contact with the underside of the web so that. in passing through the zone where-the teeth of roll `30a approach the band 92, the web is connned between the fingers 36a and .band 92.y Thus, while, the fingers 36a and band 92 from a retainingzone which prevents rumpling or crinkling of the surface of 'the web, the compression roll 34a forcesthe web into the retainingvzone wherein surface undulations are inhibited and the webis comfpressed upon itself as the teeth of roll 30a act to compress the web warpwise by exerting a shoving action on the fibers of both the warp and weftr The web is carried forwardly from rolls 30d,

and 3|a on the surface of drier band 92 which is supported by the carrier blanket 38a that extends forwardly to the first drying can 94. The

fingers 36a extend beyond roll 30a to a position closely adjacent an idler roll 91a around which` a second drier vband 91- is directed into engagement with the upper surface of the web. The.

drier bands 92, 91 form a web-retaining means so that warpwise tension is avoided and undulations in thesurface of the web are prevented. VIn passing over the heated drums 94 of vthe drier, the supported web is dried and set-in its Y treated condition withoutbeing subject to further strain. After passing around an idler roll 98, at the end of the series of drying cans, the bands separate and the web is carried by one of them t0 an oscillating device 99 which folds the lfinished preshrunk fabric into piles in the bin |00. Tension-control devices and |02, similar to the tensioning device illustrated in Figs. 1-` and 2, are provided for` the bands 92, 91, respectively, and suitable guide rolls |03 and |04 direct the bands back to the rolls 3|a and 91a. f

The speed regulating v'ariators through which the several parts of my apparatus vare operatedr from motor I permit a close regulation and control to'coordinate the relative operating speeds of the driven parts of my-apparatus that are antecedent and subsequent to the respective speedy regulating devices so vthat tension on the. web'may be minimized in order that the preshrunk condi-f tions attained in the-several stages may not be diminished kas the web passesfthrough the apparatus. l

As mentioned, above, the clamp bar 31, vwhich clamp bar 31 comprises a pair of spaced bars 40, r

strip 44, preferably of rubber,- and a bar 4I formed with transverse senil-circular grooves forreceiving the- L rounded shanksof the resilient spring fingers 36. A plurality offbolts. or, set screws 4lH4 threaded through vbar 4I and contacting bar 4l applied to bar 4I to securely. -hold the lingers I6 against the resilientstrip on bar 4|. Bar 4I` extends beyond the forward edges of bars 447, 4|, as-

shown in Figures 5 and 6, overlying projecting portions of the shanks of the fingers I6 so that in addition to reinforcing the Shanks ofthe fingers 36 itprovides means for distributing pressure imposed on fingers `along their shanks. 'Ihe clamp bar 31 is adjustably mounted at each end on the side members '4B of the frame 4| in which the bearings for web-working roll 3| mounted. 'I'he frame side members i4 are formed with vertical grooves 41 inv which blocks 4l are 50 in' the blocks 4l.

theslides 52. 'Ihe slides 52 are in turn provided withsupporting. members il, shown as discs, ony

which similar membersordiscs 56 are rotatablyadjustable by means of bolts l1 extending through the discs 55 and arcuate slots 58 in the discs I4. The "discs-i6 areprovided with shelf-likelugs 59 on which the end portions'of the clamp bar 31 are' fixedly supported, asv by means of the Vassembly bolts of the clamp bar, so that the latter extends longitudinallyof the axis of Vwork roll 34.

With the above described arrangement, thel clamp bar .31 may be adjusted vertically by means of blocks 48 for positioning fingers Il -so that they extend at the-same level through thespaces intermediate the l.toothed discs 32- of roll- S without'frictionaily engaging the disc spac.`

ers 3l or otherwise interferingwith theopera-1 tion of roll 3|. 'Ihe clampfbarrnayxalso be adjusted horizontally bymeans of slides I2 so that it extends parallel to the axis of roll I4' and also to move the bar toward or away fromv the' roll so that the extent to which fingers 3B projectbetween the'discs 32 and/or beyond therroll l0 maybe varied as desired. The rotary adjustment permitted by the arcuate slots Il in discs:

56 enables the clamp bar to be rotatably adjusted for `vrcausing the Vspring "lingers 36 to engage the web I0 passing over feed roll 3| with the degree of restraining pressure deemed desirable.

It has heretofore been mentioned that the webworking rolls I0, a and their associated spring fingers 36,V 36a may readily beremoved as a unit from the apparatus to enable them to be-cleaned.v

Referring now to Figures 9 and 10, the frame member 6| in which the roll I0, forexample, is

journalled'and on which the web-contacting fingers 36 are supported,`is1 arranged tobereadily demounted from the apparatus soy that the toothed roll 30 and fingers 38 may be Acleaned easily and -quickly to remove `therefrornany lint, loose threads, etc., accumulated in operation of the apparatus. The frame member 4|. normally rests on supports 62v at/each side of feed roll: 3| adjacent the ends thereof, pins 63 being pro,-r

vided on the supports .for engagement with aperf tures 63a (Figures 5 and 6) in the `lugs on the 3|!v with roll 3|. Framel lis also providedlwith f adjusting screws 6I contacting the supports62 yarnsandflbres andthus fattain a'p'reshrunk,

for adjusting roll 3]) vertically with respect to vffeed roll-3l to .effect proper and even spacing of the teeth 3570i roll 30 from the roll 3l inl order to obtain va desirediand evenworking action by all theteethon roll 30 `on the fabric web passing over thefeedroll 3|.y i

'I'he uprights 65'of the machine 'frame support 'a pair of spaced tracks 66 on which a carriage 61 is guided.4 The cross members 68 of carriage 61 support bevel gears 69 rneshingwith bevel gears` 10 fixed to.' a shaft 1l `journ'all'ed in lbearings mounted on straps 12 carried by thecarriage cross members-6m The bevel -gears `69 'areprovided with internallythreaded sleeves 13' through which extend threaded lportions of rods' 14 'sie'L curedto the side members v of frame Vlil 'so that onoperation of shft'1l', as by a hand'wheel 15, the frame 6I` may be raised, lifting roll' 30 -andiingers 36 from-cooperative'relation-'to -feed 5 ro1l-3|. 'Ihe tracks 66: extend outwardly beyond f either or both sides of the -apparatus'so that the frame 6l, carrying *roll*I 30 and-;ngers36,may

ybe positioned' over andlower'ed' into cooperating relation with a brush-roll' 16 mounted on 'a truck 11 and ldriven by avmotorl18in vTruclr11- also is f provided `with pins. 63genga'g`eable with the aperf; tures 63a 1-in'gthe lugs von'y frame members 56|; sothatv the. web-working roll 3|lf`1and 'sng'ers'f -36 may be .properly aligned with-'brush roll 16? tov be cleaned'bythe'latter. l Brush 'r'oll 16 is mount# ed on a truck so that it'mav'v also be employed,4 for` cleaning the other web-working roll j30aa'nd associatedliingers 36a. If desired, 'truck 11 'may;j= alsobeprovided with a vat` 19"contail:iinga s uit able cleaningl fluidV .for use :in con;lux`ict io1r1 .v with 'l l'the.l' rushro1l16."

tions as part ofthe finishing operation uponV aj:

fabric, and. although with certain conditions andy types of fabric the operation may be carried out while the fabric is in aldry condition, Ieprefer to have itin Ea plastic' condition; This permits the fabric to be more 'easily vadaptable to'lfethe' mechanical working which If 'impose' upon it 'for effecting aA rearrangement:y of the v component.'

condition in which thejyarns ,are in a statev of substantial equilibriumif...LWh.ilefthe fabric may" "is 'ine individuarweii yarns buien? @pimenter prerehrinking processi Upon delivery from krpreviously described, this lmayflbeeffected auto'- be processed i in a :wet conditionjresulting from:

somev preli'riiinaryg.v goperatio'n, or .may be made: plastic by'merelyjmoistening-ih l have illusA `trated andv described; my peshrinking operation es commencing vby passageof the fabric through the sizing apparatusiG-l in which' a ilnaisiz-C ing lisimpart'ed to the fabric.A `As a 'resultof this operation thefabric' is.- renderedfvsoit and plastic in preparation. for'lthe subsequentI` .steps V-of. .my

. zthe'- siz-fns: apparatus, he web is drawn forwardly over theftension-Lregulating apparatus 2li by .the i compressing roll .P130 and thefeed roll 3l. It is desirable .to Yminimize tension on the Webbetween thesefpointaand as matically by compensator roll: 23 'or through ad between thenbrs makina@ the Frams and, since the teeth move in anarc intersecting the plane of the Awebiand enter and leavegth'e'y latterat anl angleto its surface, they tend-to pull and work on the component yarns'. This operation* 4causes a. loosening and readjustment of the yarns and,"in. view of 'the' fact that the roll '30 is' travelling lfaster; than the web 'isfl advanced component yarns ofthe web, asdistinguished from a' mere c'rinlling of the surface and yarns. so that the web'is actually compressed andcontractdwarpwise f i Upongdeli'very from the Qworking between y -ro'i'is ,am 3|, ine web is supported by blanket :s A

soV thatv it' does ynot vsag, and' thus become subjected shrinking contractions. imparted thereto; by; roll 3o.? "rue webis then engaged by' the. sribiiing ele- Off ahrknown type althoushl har-Shown the. standard'clamp form.. tenter vmaybe operated at-the same-.rateasrolls 36, .3| .to `takeup the web from. blanket. .at subtantiaiiyits'rate of deliveryby rolls,30,3| so =thatfitlis not subjected to'warp tensionin carriedfforwardly (by thefgripping elements 83... v

.'It'islassumed herein that, asaresult of.' being drawn'out warpwise in previous processing operv .ations," the weftwisedimension of the weby i been decreased, as is usually the case, andthere.' i I preferably carry out my' preshrinking .operai-vfore, in its passage through the-tentering frame r844, I ,cause 'the 4webfto' bedrawn out weftwise to .approximately thev width whichl-have foundwill 1 be' present ina fabricwhich hasbeen properlyl preshrunk'in two directions. warpwise con-'- traction' of the'web eifectedby compressing roll 3 0l has resulted also inv arelief `oi!. tension, .incldental to` the web. having been drawn out' warp. Ywise inpassing through various apparatus inpre-y liminary processing operations. This relief oi'.y

warp tension facilitates the yweft-wise drawin ii.v

out. of the web by the tentering frame land enh-f posing awarp `strain on the fabric or materially diminishingthe preshrinklng compression eiiectv zedby roll 36,' since lthe, stretching is carriedout' ablesthe operation to be carried on without vim f onfthe web lata timewhenlit 'has'been relieved i of vvieras-p strain` to such anex'tentlthatthe draw-'- fing-:out of the-weft threads ldoeii. not v l on leaymgitheteniering frame :eine 'web is :59 p uppo'rted .and advanced' by. 'thei--conveyorwagex without` tensioni* being ythereon; A iackin-'the web isi.takenrupby*tens ioningroll iasgit passes-to .theworkins zonefbetween 00 pression roll .Magand ih 'lerband 62.7'

shoving'aotion that compacts the weft yarns and Since the web is carried forward to the drier between drier bands 92 and O'I travelling at the same speed, it is delivered to the set of drying cans and advanced therethrough, supported by bands 02 and Il, without being subjected to any tension tending to detract from the full effect of the previous preshrinking operations.

The rate of operation of the drying cans M and the feed roll Sia for drier belt l2 is coordinated with that of compressing roll )la as all derive their driving power from. the shaft Mo of variatar IIB.

In passing through the drier, `the bands 02,11 alternately contact the surfaces of the drums 94 and since the radius between the center of a drum and either band is slightly greater when the band is not in contact with the drum. due to the interpositioning oi' the other band, each of the bands is slightly flexed a number of times in passing through the drier. As a result of this ilexing, there is a slidingmovement of the bands relatively to each othervand the web whichprevents the latter adhering to either band. In. being dried between the bands l2, 91 the cloth is compressed only when the bands are around afcan and in contact therewith. Inpassing from one drum to another, there isa space, though relatively small, in which the bands are free froml contact with either roll and the compression between the two bands is negligible soL that the web, which is not under tension, is free at this point to either contractor expand naturally.

As an illustration of the changes in dimensions that may take Vplace in the drier, I have found that a typical fabric having a grey width of 311/2 inches decreased to about 28 inches in processing operations antecedent to my p process. This fabric was stretched to a width of 3l inches at which width it traversed cmnpressing roll ila and was delivered between the drier bands 92, l1 and `in passing through the drier contracted naturally, as described above, to a` width of 29% inches, which is the normal shrunk width for thistype offabric. On the other hand f- I have found that some fabrics laid between the drier bandsy at a too narrow width expand naturally during drying to their normal shrunk width, and that in some cases the fabric leaves the drier at the width at which it entered. thus indicating Y that an equiiibriumpreshrunk condition has been attained in the antecedent preshrinking stages. Thus, the natural contraction or expansion `of the web as it is carried along between the two supporting and flexing bands l2- and 01 and around the drying cans M may be taken advantage of to efi'ect a final controlled process to compensate for any slight over or under contraction or expansion either warpwise or weftwise resulting from mechanical working of the webln the kantecedent preshrinking operations. Consequently, when delivered from the drying cans, after being set and dried therein, the web `has attained a preshrunk condition in which its component yarns are in a state of substantial equilibrium and immune to further contraction either warpwise or weftwise when the ed fabric is subjected to a subsequent la `ring operation. t

'j that of the roll'ill andas a consequence the web preshrinking 'stepof my` .web may be delivered From the foregoing description, it may be seen that the web travels through my preshrinking apparatus without tensionlbeing imposed thereon as a result of its movement due to the .fact that the relative speeds of web' delivering and take-up parts of the apparatus may be closely controlled and'driven and regulated through adjustment of the several speed regulatingvariators either by an attendant or, if desired, automaticallylin response tothe movements, of tension-regulating rolls as set forth. I A c.

In Figure l1 IA have disclosed an outlineof a modification of an apparatus suitable for carrying out my process which. while it makes use'of a' working roll |05 similar in operation `to the rolls 3l, Ilia of Figures! and la, for operating upon the fabric, yet it has eliminated the web supporting blankets Il, 38a" which extend about and move at the same surface velocity as the cooperating roll Il or 3io. In this modification .-as illustratedzln Figure ll. the web It can be delivered from a lwei't expanding' means oi'any de- 'sired type. indicated bythe referenoecharacter |06. This web is deliveredinto the nip between the upper working roll III and a lower feed roll iol which corresponds generally Siorlicofliigureslandla. n web may be held between `surfaces-2l haveprovided a band i" 'of substantially kthe same type as band l2. of yFigure la. This band |00 acts in cooperation with adryingdrum ill and suitable guide and idler rolls as well as other drying drums are provided althoughnot illustrated. I provide as a means for holding theweb against the bandi" flexible wire or'spring-.like

extending clamp bar lil r toothed discs of theroll ill and lieiinreeeases therebetweenA in substantially the manner*- as alreadydescribed andindioatedinlgureal and la. 'lhe members lil extend out beyond the nip a considerable distance and lie vsubstantially parallel with the canvas bandduworting surface I" as can be seenat the retaining sone h. The surface velocity of the roll AIll and -band i is the same asthat ofthe web Il within the sone h and, of course.`is the same asgaurface velocity of the drying drumV Ill. Thel'surface velocity, however. of the toothed roll yIII is greater than is worked upon and shoved forward and oompressed in substantially the same manner asin the operation ofmy device described in conn tion with Figures 1 and la. The web is carried by the band Inl through thelone h and is delivered drying drum Ill bythe band IIII. After the materialhasbeen properlyk dried and set and is in a nished condition. it isy containers, similar to the' manner indicated inFllure'la.

In Figures 12 and 13 I have indicated another modification of my device. `In thisapparatusthe directly on to a suitable working or friction member fromweft expanding meansor from other Processing equipment. The working roll Ill maybe of thesame type as the toothed disc roll already described or, may` beA made for example from card cloth H6 having narrow longitudinally portions free from wire bristles. I have indicated in mv drawing the use of such card cloth. The web it is maintained lnclose contact with this card cloth by means of flat curved spring-like members H1 which at spaced intervalshold the web to be v treated .against the curvature 25 tothefeed/rolls InorderthattheV of the mn us. 15

These curved flexible members H1 may be supported by a central retaining member H8 extending the width of the .web.

The web l is delivered from the web-working means on to a revolving drum H9 which may, if

desired, be covered with resilient material or padding. 'Ihis drum has following. a portion cf its surface curvature a heated polished ironing deviceI |20 which has means I2| for supplying heat to the same. At the lower portion of this smooth polished ironing means |20 there .are spaced teeth |22 which are adapted to fit into the narrow spaced portions on the card cloth H6 which are free from bristles. These teeth |22, therefore, penetrate below the surface or outer periphery of the working roll H and thus act to lift the web I0 from this roll. 'I'he free spaces or grooves on the friction roll I i5 can be seenat |23 of Figure 13 and also the teeth |22 can be seen extending into these grooves. i

In operation, the cloth in a plastic condition is delivered on to working roll |5if -desiredat the proper width after having passed through means for stretching the web weftwise. The working roll H5 is driven at a greater surface velocity than the roll H9 and thus the web is delivered from the roll I I5 at a greater speed than it is taken =away by the roll H9. Furthermore, the web is held in close contact with the workingroll bymeans of the flexible 'curvedmembers H1 and thus there is a working and penetrating `action on the sui-,- face of cloth which further facilitates adjust-,R

ments in supercial dimensions to a 'preshrunk'.l condition. After the cloth has'passed in between the Brum H9 and the curved heated ironing means |20 it is dried and set and given a finished appearance. Subsequent operations performed upon the cloth as well as Athe prior operations may be similar to those described in connection with the operation f the apparatus outlined in Figures 1 and la.

I have shown in connection with these several apparatuses an exaggerated view of cross section of a fabric material. This has been done for the purposes of illustrationonly and is not to be considered as indicating `necessarily the actual modiilcations imposed upon vthe fabric.

Cil

In carrying out the preferred` form of my process, as described above, the web is first moistened and rendered plastic in a final sizing operation,

.and then warp-strain, incidental to prior processing steps is relieved as the rst compressing roll 30 effects a warp-wise contraction and compression of the web. The weft-wise dimension desired in the final preshrunk fabric is then obtained by a weft-wise stretching on the tentering frame 84 while at the same time a certain degree of the Warp-wise contraction attained in the previous stage is retained due to the fact that the antecedent relief of warp-strain enables the weft-wise stretching to be carried out without materially aecting the warp yarns. The web is then again worked by a second compressing roll 30a to effect a warpwise contraction of the web approximating the optimumr condition of the nal preshrunk fabric.

As previously mentioned, the gear 80 by which the working roll 30, for example, is driven through the intermediate gearing 82 from the gear 8| on the shaft of feed roll 3| is removable. Thus by utilizing gears with different numbers of teeth the speed ratio between rolls 30 and 3|, or 30a and3 la,

shrinking effect would be attained but by utilizing gears 80 that have ninety-eight, ninety-three or ninety teeth, driven in each instance from agear 8| having one hundred teeth, the compressing roll 30 effects preshrinking of the web to rtheextent of 2%., 7%, and 10%, respectively. The driving arrangement for rolls 30a and 3| a is similar.

As a consequence, it is possible to attain the desired final preshrunk condition by effecting different degrees of preshrinking in the several stages. The fabric may be over-shrunk in onel stage; the over-shrunk condition removed or reduced in a. following stage tc a percentage below that finally desired; and a subsequent preshrinking operation then performed to restore the preshrunk condition to the percentage finally desired. On the other hand, part of the desired percentage of preshrinking may be effected in one stage and substantially retainedland the remainder effected in a following stage. Also the fabric may be overshrunk, then pulled out to normal and again overshrunk and pulled out if desired. This working vpermits full readjustnlent and the obtaining of equilibrium conditions-` v As an illustration of this working a preferred manner of carrying outV the preshrinking opera- .tions will be described. Assuming that itis desiredto preshrink the previously processed fabric to the extent of 6% in its final condition, a warpwise compression and contractionA ofy the web to the extent Aof '7% may be eected'by means of the compressing roll 30. Then by providing a fixed differential between the rates at which the rolls 30, 3| and the tenter frame 184 are operated through the related chains I6 and 85, the tenter frame 84 may be caused to draw the fabric from carrying blanket 33 at a slightly faster rate than it is delivered by rolls*v 30,`3|. This results in exerting a slight pull on the fabric whichvserves to smooth the fabric by removing therefrom any ripples lor crinkles which might have been imposed thereon as a result of and in addition to the close compaction of the weft yarns, and the compression and contraction -of the warp yarns, as described above.

.In stretching the fabric weft-wise the pulling out of the weft yarnsresults also in slightly straightening the warp yarns so that the compaction of the weft yarns is reduced somewhat and, as a consequence of the tentering operation, the 7% preshrinking effected by roll 30 might be` reduced by approximately 2%, that is, from 7% to I5%. An additional 2% reduction vin the shrinking effected might occur in the -passage of the web from work roll 30 and feed roll 3| to the tentering frame 84 and `from the latter over the web-carrying conveyor 88 to the second working compressing roll 30a due to slight differentials existing between the rates of operation of the several parts. Thus, the preshrinking effect attained by roll 30 has been reduced from 7% to approximately 3%.- Bydriving roll 30a at a differential with respect to the companion feed roll Sla that would effect approximately a in a manner simulating the working of the fabric when subjected to laundering operations; the web after being rendered plastic is compressed ywarpwise by roll 30, it isthen pulled out slightly warpwise in being drawn to tenter frame 84, it

while the relative speeds of the several parts of i the apparatus are closely controlled to minimise warp-wise tension on the web that might materialLv reducethc preahrinking eilect attained wintheseveralstages.`

As-an alternative arrangement either of the rolls il or lla may have the teeth of its discs more iinely cut,with the result that one'of the rolls (i. e. that having the more finely cut teeth) 2 eilects a-greaterdegree of web compression and working land readiustment of the component yarns than is leffected by the other toothed roll. In .the next stage, as already vpointedout. upon passing from the second and. contracting stage to and through the drying cans M, where it is set` anddried. the web is free .of tensionsince it is supported and; carried between travelling bands IL l1. In through the drying cans the ne'xing and relative laslidingofthedriei'bandscausesthewebtobe maintained free i'rom'adherence to either band. vWhile-not compressed these bandsin advancing-from one toanother the Y web'is free to contract or expand naturally to a n condition in which its component are in a state of equilibrium and Ipractically immime from contraction in laundering operations. ifthis'state of equilibrium has not already been attained in-y L a the preceding preshrinking stag of my v vllilthough I have described my process'and apparatus in detail, it will be apparent tothose.' skilled in the art that many changesand tions may be made-withoutdeparting from the 4| spirito! the invention and. therefore, -it is my intention anddesiregto include all such changes and variations within the scope of the appended Iclaim:lv

said workingmeans and stretchingit weftwis'e' to substantially thewidth desired yin the-final 66 preshrunk fabric; other retaining means venting undulation of the surface of theweb:

othermeans receiving the web from saidstretcheither band and is thus free from o ne'drum tothe next.

. pand'naturallyto a preshrunk its component a state and substantially immune to cooperating Vvcontract theweb to a v means for drying andjetting the preshrunk condition.

web le 'its 2, An apparatus for imnol'ingja, condition on a fabric web which has been subleeteii,

`t0 preliminai'ybrwins operations ,5

means for sizing the web whereby it is in a plastic condition; means theweb to prevent undulationsin its'suriace: means receiving theweb fromfsaid ailing formechanically workingand repositioning its yarns l0 while held against surfacemovement. to effect a fwarpwise compression thereof and yto tension imparted to the web in sale processing operations; for i 'web from saidworking means it l5 mecnanieauy working me repositioning Lits 'so v condition' 'in which the weit and thereof are contracted to a condition approximati `niet state orequiubriomiand a web crier re-25` rceiving the webirom last working in' cluding a plurality ,of heated drying a pair oftravelling'bands'. one at each said web, vfor supporting and carrying itl around each of saiddrumasa'id bandas! "d0 lycontactingthe curved of the dryingA drumsso that thebandsarerepeatedly iiexeciiny reverse directions in passing` through the drier;

' ywhereby the web is maintained from adhelingto to contract or*y excondition in which. L

of equilibriumy shrinkage'in ajsub'- sequent laundering operation; f f i v 3. An apparatus for` imposing a preshrunk condition on a fabric web which has been subjected toi'preliminary processing `operationsr compris.- jing means for.rend ering theweb in 'a plssticcon` ,Y

dition; retaining means mth@ Aweb tofpre'- 45! vent'imdulating its surface; means receiving the web lfrom me mensenmassa: meiimii-` 'Y yarns while so i. An apparatus for imposing a preshrunk; condition on a fabric web which fhas been sub1, jected to preliminary operations prising; means for wetting the web whereby it is renderedina'plastic condition; le engaging the webto prevent-"undulations surface; Vmeans receiving lthe saidwetting means for mechanicaliyworking and positioning its yarns whilecooperatim with said?.

' retaining means to eilect awarpwise'compres-j-.r d0 sionof thsweband torrelieye warptension ini-j" parted thereto in saidpreiiminary processing' operations;` means for taking uptheweb lationA of? its yweb i'romfsald iorjnie'chanical` ly working and its yarns whileerti-i,l

gaged by saidlotheimeans to eii'ect v605` avwariivwise compressionof the web.' of said, working means being'adapted to f er warpwise compressionjoifthe web'ti'ianis effeeted by the other, both or sale woriringmeamv in which th v'weft andwarp yarns thereof lare in a' state of equilibrium and mhstanuanyf'img mune tcshrinkage in'a subsequent operation; and means the` web v saidl last working means'for' drying 70).? its preshrunk condition.

`4. An apparatus] for condition on' a fabric web'wmcn has I .Jected to preliminary processing operations com-` i prising means of rendering ythe web in afpi'astic 'le condition; retaining means engaging said web to prevent undulation of its surface; means receiving the web from said plasticizing means for mechanically working and re-positioning,- its yarns while cooperating with said retaining' means to effect a wai'pwise compression thereof and to relieve warp tension imparted to the web in said preliminary processing operations; means for taking up the web from said working means and stretching it weftwise to the width desired in the final preshrunk fabric; other retaining means engaging said web to prevent undulation of .its surface; other means receiving they web from-said stretching means for mechanically working and re-positioning its yarns while cooperating with said other retaining `.means to effect a warpwise compression of the webto ,a condition in which the weft Aand warp yarns thereof are in a state` of equilibrium and immune to contraction in a subsequent laundering operation; ,means receiving the web from said last working means for drying and setting the web in its preshrunk condition; means for positively driving said plasticizing means, said ilrstfweb working means, said weft stretching means, said second web working means and said drying means; and means for controlling and regulating the relativeoperating speeds lof thel various driven means for minimizing and controlling tension on the web in passing through said apparatus,

5. An apparatus for imposing a preshrunk condition on a. fabric web which has been lsubjected to preliminary processing operations comprising; means for sizing the web whereby it is renderedin a plastic condition; means receiving the web from said vsizing means for stretching it weftwise to the width desired inv the final preshrunk fabric; retaining means engaging the web to prevent undulating its surface; means receiving the web from said stretching means for mechanically working and repositioning l. its yarns `while cooperating with said retaining means to effect a warpwise compression of the web to a condition in which the weft and warp yarns thereof are contracted to a condition approximating a state of equilibrium; and a web drier receiving the web'from said working means including a plurality of heated drying drums'and a pair of travelling bands, one at each side of said web, for supporting and carrying l,it partially around each of said drums, said ds alternately contacting the curved surface of the drying drums so that the bands are repeatedly flexed in reverse directions in passing through the drier. p

whereby the web is maintained from adhering to either band'and is thus free, in' being carried from one -drumv to th next. to contract or expand naturally toa preshrunk condition in which its-component yarns are in a state of equilibrium and substantially immune to shrinkage in a subsequ'ent laundering operation. Y

' 6. Ina preshrinking apparatus having means for contracting a web warpwise and means for setting the web in a preshrunk condition, the combination therewith ofpreliminary apparatus consisting of a gripping means adapted to act within the body of the web and retaining means forming a conned zone and cooperating width and deliver it to said contracting means.

'1. An apparatus for imposing a preshrunk condition on a 'fabric which has been subjected to preliminary processing operations comprisl ing; retaining means engaging the web to' prevent undulation of its surface; means formechanically working and re-positioning the yarns of the web while cooperating with said retaining meansto effect a w'arpwise compression 10 thereof and to relieve warp tension imposed thereon .in said preliminary processing operations; means for taking up the web from said working means and stretching it weft-wise to the width desired in the final preshrunk fabric; a feed roll 15 adjacent said working means;`and an endless blanket directed aboutsaid feed roll and cooperating with said retaining means toform a webconfining `zone in which said working means effect warpwise compression of the web, said 20 blanket extending to lsaid stretching means for supporting and carrying the web for obviating uncontrolled diminishment of the warpwise oompression effected by said working means.

8. An apparatus for imposing y'a preshrunk 25 condition on a fabric web comprising; meins for rendering the web in a plastic condition; retaining means engaging the web to prevent lmdulat- -working and re-positioning its yarns while en- 40 gaged by said retaining means to eifect a warpwise compression of the web, the teeth of one of said rollsbeingmore finely cut than those of said other, compressingfroll for eiecting a different warpwise compression ofthe web in one stage than in the other compressing stage and both of said rolls cooperating to contract the web to a condition inA which the weft and warpyarns thereof are -n a state of equilibrium and substantially immune to shrinkage in a subsequent laundering operation; and means receiving the web from said last roll for drying the web in its preshrunk condition.

9. An apparatus for treating a fabric web to cause readjustment of 4its component yarns to a 55 condition adapted to minimize change in its superficial dimensions ,duringv subsequent laundering operations comprising; web supporting means, web working means having a plurality of spaced rows of web-penetrating projections for gripping and working the web to readjust the positions of its component yarns and effect a warp-wise compression of the web; and a plurality of spaced resilient ngers extending into engagement with the said web adjacent said working means for preventingundulation of the surface -of said web and cooperating with said working means to effect warp-wise. impression oftheweb.r g,

10. An apparatus fox treating a fabric web to 70 cause readjustment of its component yarns to a condition adapted lto minimize change in its superficial dimensionsv during subsequent launl dering operations comprising; web supporting means, `web working means having aplurality of '(6 yes'o spaced rows of web penetrating projections engaging .one surface of the web for gripping and working the latter to eect warp-wise compressionl of the web; and a plurality of spaced resilient fingers extending between said rows of projections on said ,working means into engagef ment with said surface of theweb for preventing undulation ofthe web and cooperating with said working meansto readjust the positions of the component yarns of the web for effecting warpwise compression thereof.

11. An apparatus for treating a fabric web to cause readjustmentrof its component yarns to a condition adapted to minimize change in its supercial dimensions during subsequent laundering operations comprising: web working means having a plurality of spaced rows of webpene' trating projections for gripping andworking the web to eadjust the positions of its component yarns and effect a warp-wise compression of the web; a feed roll closely adjacent said working means; anl endless blanketv directed about said feed roll and forming a working surface on which the web is supported and against which said working means operate in compressing the web; and a plurality of spaced resilient fingers extending between the rows of vweb-penetrating projections on said working means into engagement with the surface of said web and cooperating with said blanket to .form a web confining zone in which surface undulations of thev web are prevented. i

12. An apparatus for treating a fabric web to cause readjustment of its `component yarns to a condition adapted to minimize change in its superficial dimensions during subsequent laundering operations comprising; web working means having a pluralityof spaced rows of web penetrating projections engaging one surface of the web for gripping and working the latter to effect warp-wise compression of the web; and a plurality of spaced resilient `fingers engaging the oppositeV surface of the web to form with said working'means a web retainingzone for substantially preventing undulation of the surfaces of the web and cooperating with said working means to cause readjustment of the yarn components of the webffor effecting warp-wise compression thereof. c

13. An apparatus for treating a fabric web to cause readjustment of its component yarns to a condition adapted to minimize change in its superilcial dimensions during subsequent launder-V ing operations comprising; -a web working roll provided with a card-cloth covering having narrow longitudinally extending space portions free from bristles, the spaced longitudinally extending rows of bristles constituting web-working 14. An apparatus for imposing a preshrunkl condition on a fabric web which has been subv jected to preliminary processing operations comy prising; retaining means engaging the web to means provided with a plurality of spaced rows prevent undulations in its surface; web-working of web-gripping projections adapted to grip the web and cooperating with said retaining means for causing readjustment of the yarn components of .the web to eifect a warp-wise compression of said rows of web-gripping projections for lifting the web from4 engagement with said web-grip-` ping projections of said working means.

l5. An apparatus for'treating a fabric web to cause readjustment of its component yarns to a condition adapted to minimize change vinv its su-v perflcial dimensions during subsequent laundering operations comprising: vmeans for wetting the web whereby it is rendered in a'plastic condition; a web-working roll having a plurality of spaced rows of web-penetrating projections'fol gripping said web and readjusting the positions of the yarn components thereof; a web feeding@ roll positioned opposite and closely'adiacent sai-rl working roll: a' plurality of spaced web-retaining means supported at the take-up side of said' rolls and engaging the web to prevent undulation of the surface Vthereof and cooperating withy said working roll toeffect warpwise compression :of v

the web; anda plurality of spaced members supported at thedelivery side of said rolls and extending into the nip formed by the latter for lifting said web from engagement with the webpenetrating projectionsof said work roll.

16. An apparatus for treating'a fabric web to' cause readjustment of its component yarnstoa condition adapted to minimize change in its'fsuperflcial dimensions during subsequent laundering operations comprising; means for wetting the web whereby4 it is renderedin a plastic condition:

a web-working roll having a plurality of spaced rows of web-penetrating projections for gripping said web and readjusting the positions'of the yarn components thereof: a web-feeding roll positioned opposite and closely vadjacent said working roll; a plurality of spaced web-retaining means supported at the take-up side of said `wils supported adjacent saidv feeding means and provided with side members in which said working means is mounted for positioning the web-penetrating projections thereof to grip and work a web advanced by said feeding means :la plurality of spaced resilient members-adapted to extend between the/spaced series of projections on said working means into 4engagement with ak fabric web advanced byvsaid feeding rmeans and posi tioned opposite said feeding means for forming therewith a restraining zone about theV web tol l prevent surface undulations of the latter:` holding means for said resilient membersimeans adjustably connected to said side members of said frame at lone side of ksaid working means for supporting said holding means:` and means' for jadjusting said supporting means on said frame fory variably positioning said resilient members with respect to said web-working means and said webfeeding means.

18. In` apparatus for imposing a preshrunk condition on a fabric webzweb feeding means: a

web-working roll having a plurality of spaced series of web-penetratins projections; a frame supported adjacent said feeding means and provided with side members in. whichl'said roll is journalled for positioning the web-penetrating 'projections thereof to grip and work a web advanced by said feeding means; a plurality of spaced resilient. members adapted to extend between the spaced series of projections on said roll intoV engagement with a fabric web advanced by said feeding means and positioned opposite said feeding means for forming therewith a restraining zone about the web toprevent surface undulations of the latter; holding means for said' a webvworking roll having a plurality of spaced series of web-penetrating projections; a frame supported adjacent said feeding means and provided with side members in which said roll is` journalled for positioning the web-penetrating projections thereof to grip and work a web advanced by said feeding means; a plurality of spaced resilient members adapted to lie in and extend through the spaces intermediate the series of web-penetrating projections on said roll for engagement with a fabric web carried by said feeding means to exert a restraining force on said web for preventing undulations in the surface thereof; holding means for said resilient members; guide members mounted on the side members of said frame at one side of said roll and extending toward the latter; slides mounted on said guides and supporting said holding means; and means for adjustably connecting said slides to said guides for variably positioning said holding means with respect to said roll for regulating the extent to which said resilient members extend through the spaces between the series of web-penetrating projections on said roll.

20. In apparatus for imposing a preshrimk condition on a fabric web; web feeding means; a web-working roll having a plurality of spaced series of web-penetrating projections; a frame supported adjacent said feeding means and provided with side members in which said roll is journalled for positioning the web-penetrating projections.

thereof to grip and work a web advanced by said feeding means; a plurality of spaced resilient members adapted to extend through the spaces intermediate theseries of web-penetrating proy jections on said roll into engagement with a fabric `web carried by said feeding means to exert a restraining force on said web for preventing undulations in the surface thereof; holdimngmeansfor said resilient members; supporting means for said holding means carried by the side members of said frame at one side of said roll; and means for rotatably adjusting said supporting means on said frame members to regulate the restraining force exerted by said resilient ngers on aweb carried by said feeding means.

21. In an apparatus for treating a fabric web; a web working roll provided with projections adaptied to grip and penetrate said web for effecting a mechanical readjustment of the component yarns thereof; a feed roll positioned closely adjacent said working means; an endless web supporting band passing around said feed roll and forming a working surface against which said working roll bears in gripping said web, said band having end edges thereof joined by stitched seams extending transversely thereof; and means on said band for effecting a separation of said band working lsurface from against said working roll on passage of the seams of said band between said working roll and said feed roll whereby the loosening or. tearing of the stitches of said seams" by said working roll is prevented.

22. In vapparatus for imposing a preshrunk condition on a fabric web; web-feeding means; a unitary web-working assembly adapted to be mounted or detached as a unit from cooperative relation with said feeding `means comprising, a

frame; a workingroll journalled in said frame,k

said roll having a plurality of spaced series of web-surface penetrating projections adapted to grip and work the web as it is advanced by said feeding means: a plurality of spaced resilientr members adapted to extend between the spaced series of web-surface penetrating projections on said roll into engagement with a fabric web advanced by said feeding means and cooperating with said feeding means torform a restraining zone about the web for preventing surface undulations of the latter; and holding means for said resilient members mounted on said frame at one side of said working roll for positioning said resilient members to extend between the spaced series of vweb-penetrating projections on said roll into engagement with the surface of said web. d 23. In apparatus for imposing a preshrunk condition on a fabric web; web-feeding means; a

unitary web-working assembly adapted to be mounted or detached as a unit from cooperative relation with said feeding means comprising, a frame; a working roll journalled in said frame,

said roll having a plurality of spaced series of web-penetrating projections adapted to grip and work the web as it-is advanced by said feeding means; a plurality of spaced resilient members adapted to extend vbetween the spaced series of web-penetrating projections on said roll intol engagement with a fabric. web advanced by'said feeding means for preventing surface undulations of the web; holding means for said resilient members mounted on said frame at one side of said working roll for positioning said resilient members to extend between the spaced series of webpenetrating projections on said rollvinto engagement with the surface of said web; and means for adjusting said holding means vertically, horizontally and rotatably on said frame for regulating the position of said resilient members with respect-fte said web-working roll and said web-feeding" means. l

24. A process for treating a fabric `web by performing a series of working operations on said lweb to cause readjustment of the component yarns to a condition adapted to minimize change in superficial dimensions during a subsequentV to the weftwise dimension desired in the finished fabric; mechanically working the web, while in hibiting surface undulations, to' effectv awarpwise contraction and compression of the web to readf just the positions of the component yarns within the bodyof the webs to a condition in which the latter are in a state 'of equilibrium and substantially immune to shrinkage in a subsequent laundering operation; and drying the web in its equilibrium preshrunk condition. f A

25. process fortreatingafabricwebbyperforming a series of working operations on saidweb to cause readiustment of the component yarns to a condition adapted to minimise change in superdcial dimensions during a' subsequent laundering operation comprising wetting said web to'render the same in a plastic condition: working the web, while holding its surface against undulating,v to effect a partial warpwise contraction and ofthe component yarns within the-body of the web and to relieve warp tension; stretching the web while relieved from warp tension to the weftwise dimension vdesired in the nnished fabric; `working'the web, while holding its surface against undulating, to mechanically readjust the positions of the component yarns within the body of the web for effectingacontractionandcompressionofthewebto a condition in which the component yarns approximate a state of equilibrium and are substantially immune in shrinkage in a subsequent laundering operation; `and drying the web under conditions permitting its component yarns to re-I adjust their positions naturally state of equilibrium.

26. In a preshrlnking operation including the steps of gripilins a fabric and readiusting the threads and fibers thereof while forcing it into a' retaining 'sone wherein surface undulations. of

saidwebareinhibited whereby areadjusted and preshunkwebisobtainedandnallyaettingthe webinitstreatedconditiomthepreliminary steps ofrelievingthewarptensiononsaidweb present as the result of lprior processing opera? tions by gripping said web and 'shoving itV forward into a retaining zone fasierthan the'normalofsaidweband while looseningand readjusting the' yarn components thereof. and subsequently without any intermediatel imposition ofwarp tension on said web,stretching 'said web weftwise to the approximate final web width desired while relieved from warp tension.

' 27. Aprocess for treatingafabric webbyper` y wise while relieved from tension to nibstanuany me width desired in the nner pre-,sums fabric;

mechanically working the web, while inhibiting surface undulation to effect a warp-wise con-v traction and compression within the web toreadiustthepositionsofthecomponentyarnsto ia condition 'in which the weftand warp yarns are in'a state of equilibrium and contraction in asubsequent laundering operation:

the web in its pre-shrunk condition; and maintaining the web substantially free from warp tension while undergoing said working operations.

28. A processfor preshrinking a 4fabric vweb by performing a series of working operations on said web to cause readiustment of its component` yarns .zo s condicion adapted wmmimme change in its superficial dimensions during s subsequent laundering operation which comprises; wetting.

thewebtorenderitinaplasticcondition; mechanicallyworkingtheweb.whileboldingitssur Ycausing :the web to be advanoedfto and through wetting tlie web torenderit in a plastic coul dition; mechanically workin the web while holdaecomo face against undulating. to subject the individualv yarn components of the web to a shoving, loosening and pulling action. whereby the yarn components are reldiusted within the body of the web to compress the web along its length an amount substantially corresponding tothe degree ofpreshrinking desired in the finished fabric: stretching the web .weft-wise to substantially the weftwise dimension desired inthe final fabric while the stretching sone' at a more` rapid rate than it ,is delivered from the working-sone, whereby.

mechanically working said web. while holding its Y surface against undulating. to effect a warpwisa. contraction :and compression of the yarn oomponents within the web for restoring the'web compression. effected by readjustment of the yarn components, to an amount substantially Y corresponding to the degree of preshrinking desired in the finished i'abl'ic.4

29. A process for preshrinking a fabric web by performing a series of working operations'on'said web to cause readjustment of its component yarns to a condition adapted to minimise change in its superficial dimensions during a subsequent laundering operation which comprises!wetting` the web to render it in a plastic condition: mechanicalb working the web, while .holding its surface against undulating. to subject the individual yarn components of the `webto a shoving, loosening and milling actionwhereby the yarnr components are readjusted ywithin the body of the web to compress the web along ltslengthvsn amount substantiallycorresponding to the degree or presnnnkina desired in the nmsned mph stretching the web weftwise to substantially weftwise dimension desired in1 the nai fabric .while causingthe web'tofbeadvanced--to and through'the at a morerapid rate by the yarn components are readiusted within the to an ammini less than iesreepr.preannun-V ing desired in the nnairrsbnc':

MUM midwife,` while upwardly-mw against undulating. to effect a. warpwise tion and compression k'of the yarn components'v within the web for restoring tlwweb compression,

effected by readjustment ofthe yarn components. to an amount thedegree of pre-y shrinking desired in the nnished fabric; and drying and setting the web while maintaining it free from warp tension forpermitting the yarn com# ponents to readiust their positions naturallyto a condition in which the web is compressed sub.- stantiallyto the decree of preshrinking desired in the finished fabric and the yarn components are in a state of equilibrium and are substantially immune to shrinkagek `in subsequent launderingy cperatlons. ,l

30. A process for prhrinking a fabricweb A. byperforming s seriesof .working `operations on nid web to. cause marmeinor m comf f ponent yarns toa-,condition adapted to minimise changeinitssuperiicislduringambsequent laundering operation which comprises:

rmovin-g,iomninirsniipumnuicnounieuwe 7i yarn components are readdusted within the body of the web to partially compress the web along its length to an extent less than the degree of preshrinking desired in the finished fabric; stretching the web weftwise to approximately the weft- Wise dimension desired in the iinished fabric while maintaining the web substantially free from warp strain to substantially preclude diminishment of the preshrinkage effected in said working operation; mechanically working said web, while holding its surface against undulating, to eect an additional warpwise compression for increasing the compression of the web to approximately the degree of preshrinking desired in the finished fabric; and drying and setting the web while maintaining it free from warp tension for permitting the yarn components to readjust their positions naturally to a condition in which the web is compressed substantially to the degree of preshrinking desired in the finished fabric and the yarn components are in a state of equilibrium and are substantially immune to shrinkage in subsequent laundering operations.

31. A process for preshrinking a fabric web by performing a series of working operations on said web to cause readjustment of its component yarns to a condition adapted to minimize change in its superficial dimension during a subsequent laundering operation which comprises plasticizing the duce the compression an amount sufficient to obtain 'a final fabric product having dimensions equivalent to a web in equilibrium and substantially free from further dimensional change upon laundering.

32. A process for preshrinking a fabric web by performing a series of working operations on said web to cause readjustment of its component yarns to a' condition adapted to minimize change in its superficial dimensions during a subsequent laundering operation, comprising overly compressing the web warpwise while holding its sui'- face against undulation, and then stretching the web to reducerthe compression warpwise to an amount whereby a final fabric product substantially free from further dimensional change upon laundering is' obtained.

33, A process for preshrinking a fabric web by performing a series of working operations on said web to cause readjustment of its component yarns to an equilibrium standard condition adapted to-minimize change in the superficial dimensions during a subsequent laundering operation which comprises overly` compressing the web warpwise while holding the web surface against undulation, stretching the web warpwise to reduce the compression below the desired equilibrium standard and finally again compressing the web warpwise an amount suilicient toproduce a fabric product substantially free from further dimensional change upon laundering.

HENRY A. WOODHEAD. 

